Xavi Simons is clear about it, he is ready to shine in the elite. That was one of the reasons that made him leave Barcelona in 2019, despite being one of the most brilliant diamonds at La Masía. The problem was that, he didn’t want to stay at La Masía forever. At PSG the steps towards the first team would be faster, or so I thought. Now, two and a half years later, He is a star in Paris and in the Champions League, yes, but in the youth category … His contract expires in June and negotiations have been stalled for a long time and the Parisian team fears that another talent will fly from the Camp del Loges.
The Dutchman will not renew unless he is assured that next season will be one more between Messi, Mbappé, Neymar and company. If they do not promise to play with the elders, he will leave the French capital at zero cost, as detailed by the journalist Fabrizio Romano, a specialist in the transfer market. Mino Raiola is the one sitting across the table, as the player’s agent, and he is willing to listen to offers from other clubs if there is no agreement. On January 1, he will be able to do it legally, time plays against PSG.
In summer it seemed that this could be the year of Simons. He took advantage of the extra rest of the cracks who had played national tournaments to have minutes and he was one of the most outstanding footballers of the preseason. Pochettino rewarded his ascending performance with a minute growth while waiting for the landing of the stars, scored and assisted, but when the grown-ups arrived, everything changed.
Slump of importance
And last season he was called up 12 times in Ligue 1, even making his debut in a match against Strasbourg, this season he has not even been called up yet (only against Lille in the Super Cup final in August, but without playing). In return, he is venting in the UEFA Youth League (and in the Dutch under-19). Four games, two goals and four assists. He scored against City on the second day (1-1 was the result) and it was especially cruel against Leipzig. Goal and assistance at home (3-0) and three assists in Germany (1-4), sensational heel hit to enable Michut, another pearl of the quarry, included.
“When he’s with me, he’s a player who doesn’t give up and always works. He’s decisive, he’s good. (…) The objective is that he is not with me. If he continues like this, I don’t think he will stay long. “, predicted Zoumana Camara, his youth coach, a few dates ago. In the Youth League, in addition, a different Simons is being seen, who has left the engine room behind to perform as false nine. Although his aim and incidence in the offensive football of his team have little of unreal. It is not the first pearl that must look for minutes outside the Park of the Princes in the face of the existing competition. Nkunku, who now stands out at Leipzig, is the last great example (he was traded in 2019). Both Simons and Raiola have it clear, or first team or nothing, we will see if Pochettino hears the call …